Cheng Xiaofan wasn't short of the funds allocated by the higher-ups, not by a long shot.
But as Hao Changrong had put it, he wouldn't be impolite. Why refuse money that was being offered?
"Minister Hao, regarding these matters,"
"Director Xiang and my Goddess Bai will be in touch!"
Cheng Xiaofan then turned to Wanli and said, "Director Xiang, in a moment, I'll give you my Goddess Bai's phone number!"
Xiang Wanli nodded eagerly and smiled, "Certainly!"
"I've heard great things about your Goddess Bai,"
"I'm eager to make her acquaintance!"
At this conference, Cheng Xiaofan was personally awarded a crystal trophy as a "Chinese Divine Doctor."
This was entirely incomparable to the ten-kilogram pure gold statue gifted by that island nation.
After the conference, everyone was arranged for a banquet on the third floor.
Hao Changrong, Zhang Heng, Cheng Xiaofan, Xiang Wanli, Yang Jigang, and others were seated at the same table.
Just as they were settling in, Zhang Heng's phone rang.
He pulled out his phone, pressed the answer button, and chuckled, "Xiao Wu,"
"How's the situation over there coming along?"
Wu Shengnan's voice came from the phone,
"Minister Zhang, Wu Tian and the other three evil cultivators have been apprehended,"
"and have been escorted back to the headquarters of the Jianghu Affairs Bureau."
"Additionally, the remains of Mu Qingyao,"
"have also been unearthed beneath that sandalwood tree."
Zhang Heng inquired, "Have you sent someone to notify Mu Qingyao's family?"
Wu Shengnan replied, "They have been notified, and her family will arrive shortly."
"Oh, and by the way, I also received a call from the procuratorate just now,"
"they discovered over three hundred million in cash and a ton of gold,"
"in Zhu Jianfeng's basement."
"This figure matches Mr. Cheng's prediction precisely!"
Zhang Heng's phone was on speaker.
Everyone at the table heard the conversation, and they were all astonished.
They thought to themselves how truly miraculous Cheng Xiaofan's 'wang qi shu' (fortune-telling technique) was.
Zhang Heng said, "Xiao Wu, you've worked hard,"
"Let someone else handle the matters there."
"Hurry over to the third floor here, we're waiting for you to join us for the meal!"
Wu Shengnan responded, "Understood, I'll be right there."
About ten minutes later, Wu Shengnan arrived.
She provided a detailed report to Zhang Heng on the specifics of apprehending Wu Tian and his associates, as well as other matters.
Zhang Heng nodded and sighed, "It's all thanks to Xiao Fan today,"
"Without him, it would have been truly difficult to capture these evil cultivators."
"This Zhu Jianfeng is unbelievably audacious,"
"As a leader, to secretly harbor evil cultivators,"
"He has truly dug his own grave this time!"
Hao Changrong shook his head and sighed,
"There are more like him than just Zhu Jianfeng!"
Cheng Xiaofan laughed heartily and said, "Minister Zhu,"
"I've conducted a thorough study of this mutated virus,"
"and it might have a fatal impact on those corrupt officials."
Hao Changrong paused slightly upon hearing this.
He asked, "Mr. Cheng, what kind of impact would it have?"
Cheng Xiaofan smiled and explained, "Generally, such people, due to accepting excessive ill-gotten gains,"
"carry a certain amount of pressure in their hearts, fearing exposure and imprisonment one day."
"Coupled with dark thoughts and various other factors,"
"a toxin can develop within their bodies. Once exposed to external viral invasion,"
"it will immediately hybridize into a completely new toxin, leading to paralysis,"
"darkening of the skin, body shrinkage, complete stiffness, resembling a zombie!"
Hao Changrong couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"Xiao Fan, are you joking? Such a thing could happen?"
Cheng Xiaofan, however, said with a grave expression,
"Minister Hao, I am not joking."
"I am completely serious."
Hao Changrong chuckled, "If that's true, then it would be quite amusing!"
"Anyone afflicted with such symptoms would be caught red-handed!"
Cheng Xiaofan replied with a smile, "That depends on the individual."
"Some people have exceptionally strong mental fortitude, they believe their wrongdoings are justified,"
"they eat well and sleep soundly every day, such people are less likely to be affected!"
Hao Changrong nodded and remarked, "It seems the new virus,"
"isn't entirely reliable for dealing with the vermin in the bureaucracy!"
They continued their lively conversation, enjoying food and drinks.
The meal lasted for a full two hours.
After lunch.
Cheng Xiaofan and Zhang Heng took Wu Shengnan's car back to Zhang Heng's home.
Just as the young mistress had poured each of them a cup of tea, the sound of screeching brakes echoed from outside.
At that moment,
A middle-aged woman wearing a blue qipao, with a voluptuous figure and an exceptionally beautiful face,
accompanied by several bodyguards, strode into the courtyard.
The middle-aged woman had fiery red lips and a cold, clear expression.
The aura she exuded indicated she was no ordinary person.
She stopped at the entrance.
Bending slightly, she managed a faint smile and asked, "Excuse me, is Teacher Zhang Heng residing here?"
Zhang Heng walked out from the house.
He nodded and replied, "I am Zhang Heng."
"May I ask who you are?"
Before the middle-aged woman could speak, two streams of tears rolled down her eyes.
She said, "My name is Fang Rong, I am Mu Qingyao's mother!"
"I heard you have a student named Cheng Xiaofan,"
"I wish to meet him!"
Zhang Heng hadn't expected Mu Qingyao's family to find their way here so quickly.
He said, "Ms. Fang, Xiao Fan is inside my house."
"Perhaps you would be more comfortable discussing this indoors!"
Upon entering, Zhang Heng gestured towards Cheng Xiaofan and said, "Ms. Fang, this is Cheng Xiaofan!"
Fang Rong immediately knelt before Cheng Xiaofan.
Her voice choked with sobs, "Mr. Cheng, I am so grateful to you today,"
"If not for you, my daughter's unjust death would have remained an unsolved mystery forever!"
Cheng Xiaofan quickly helped her up and said,
"Ms. Fang, it was a coincidence today, I happened upon the situation!"
"Please accept my condolences and try to find solace!"
Fang Rong promptly took out a bank card from her bag.
She handed it to Cheng Xiaofan and said, "Mr. Cheng, there are two hundred million yuan in here."
"Consider it my token of gratitude, please accept it!"
Cheng Xiaofan hastily declined, "Ms. Fang, I cannot accept this money."
"You must understand, I did not point out the truth of her murder,"
"in hopes of receiving a reward!"
Fang Rong's voice cracked with tears, "Mr. Cheng,"
"Li Jieqiong is a longtime friend of mine. I've heard of your great reputation from her,"
"and I know you are financially well-off and do not lack this small sum."
"This is merely a token of my sincerity, you must accept it!"
Hearing her say this, Cheng Xiaofan found it difficult to refuse.
He accepted the bank card.
Fang Rong wiped the tears from her face and said, "Mr. Cheng,"
"I have one more request, if it's not too much trouble?"
Cheng Xiaofan asked, "Whatever it is, please speak freely!"